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Thursday 24 November 2011

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism

Places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir
Nubra Valley
                                   Nubra Valley  is about 150 km north of Leh, the capital town of Ladakh, India. Local scholars say that its original name was Ldumra (the valley of flowers). The Shyok River meets the Nubra or Siachan River to form a large valley that separates the Ladakh and the Karakoram Ranges. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 ft. above the sea level. The common way to access this valley is to travel over the Khardung La from Leh. Non-locals require an Inner Line Permit(obtainable in Leh town) to enter Nubra.





35 metre statue of Maitreya Buddha facing down the Shyok River towards Pakistan.
                                                       Diskit Monastery
                                                                    Seabuckthorn berries, Nubra valley, Ladakh
                                                                Like the rest of Ladakh, Nubra is a high altitude desert with rare precipitation and scant vegetation except along river beds, where irrigated, and on high slopes. The villages are irrigated and fertile, producing wheat, barley, peas, mustard for oil, and a variety of fruits and nuts, including apple, walnut, apricot and even a few almond trees. Most of the Nubra Valley is inhabited by Ladakhis who speak Ladakhi; the majority of them are Buddhist, with a minority of Shia and Sunni Muslims. In the western or lowest altitude end of Nubra Valley, along the Shyok River, the inhabitants are Balti, speak Balti, and are Shia and Sufia Nurbakhshia Muslims.


                                             Siachen Glacier lies to the north of the valley. The Sasser Pass and the famous Karakoram Pass lie to the northwest of the valley and connect Nubra with Xinjiang. Previously there was much trade passing through the area with East Turkestan and Central Asia.

Places

                                   Along the Nubra or Siachan River lie the villages of Sumur, Kyagar (called Tiger by the Indian Army), Tirith, Panamik and many others. Samstanling monastery is between Kyagar and Sumur villages, and Panamik is noted for its hot springs. Across the Nubra or Siachan River at Panamik, is the isolated Ensa Gompa.
                                              On the Shyok (pronounced Shayok) River, the main village, Diskit, is home to the dramatically positioned Diskit Monastery. Hundar was the capital of the erstwhile Nubra kingdom in the 17th century, and is home to the Chamba Gompa. Between Hundar and Diskit lie several kilometres of sand dunes, and (two-humped) bactrian camels graze in the neighbouring "forests" of seabuckthorn. Non-locals are not allowed below Hundar village into the Balti area, as it is a border area. The beautiful village of Baigdandu is also located in this area. There is a marked presence of people with startling blue eyes, auburn hair and rosy cheeks as against the typical mongoloid features of the Ladakhis. Local lore has it that they were a Greek tribe who came in search of Jesus Christ's tomb and eventually settled here. Baigdandu is also known for the goats that give you the famous Pashmina shawls.
                                                           Currently the only road access to the Nubra Valley is over Khardung La pass, whose status as the highest motorable road in the world is no longer accepted by most authorities. The Indian Government has completed another road pass over Wari La from Sakti, to the east of Khardung La, and the road connecting it to central Nubra along the Shyok River is said to be almost completed as of 2008. There are also trekkable passes over the Ladakh Range from the Indus Valley at various points. Routes from Nubra to Baltistan or Yarkand, though historically important, have been closed since 1947 and 1950 respectively.
                                                 The Nubra River is a tributary of the Shyok River, which flows through the Nubra region of Ladakh, into the Indus River to the east of Skardu, Pakistan. The Siachen Glacier melts into this river.

Zanskar
                                            Zanskar  is a subdistrict or tehsil of the Kargil district, which lies in the eastern half of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The administrative centre is Padum. Zanskar, together with the neighbouring region of Ladakh, was briefly a part of the kingdom of Guge in Western Tibet.
                                               The Zanskar Range is a mountain range in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir that separates Zanskar from Ladakh. Geologically, the Zanskar Range is part of the Tethys Himalaya, an approximately 100-km-wide synclinorium formed by strongly folded and imbricated, weakly metamorphosed sedimentary series. The average height of the Zanskar Range is about 6,000 m (19,700 ft). Its eastern part is known as Rupshu.

Tourism

                                         Tourism is probably the major disruption that Zanskar has experienced during recent times. The opening of this region to foreigners has brought benefits such as the financing of schools and the restoration of monasteries and roads, but has also taken its toll on this fragile mountain environment and its population. Not only do the campsites along the trekking routes look more and more like junkyards at the end of the tourist season, but the local population has sometimes developed a questionable attitude towards visitors, involving begging, and very occasionally theft

Leh Ladakh
                                Leh Ladakh is considered as one of most beautiful places in the world. This place has its own majestic view that is magnificent in its own. Spread over an area of about 100000 sq. km. this place covers a huge area of Kashmir. It appears as separate section but actually is a part of Kashmir. The great Himalayan Range is the one that bisects out Leh Ladakh from the gorgeous Kashmir. This place is listed among the highest visited tourist destinations of India and thus it is popular among all those people who love traveling and exploring places. Leh Ladakh is covered by the Himalyan Range and the Karkoram which are considered as the two highest ranges of the world. You will not a lot of peaks and mountain ranges in Leh Ladakh but still the beauty that lies here is incomparable to all other destinations of world. Along with the beauty that lies in and around Leh Ladakh it is a very popular area for adventures sports. Many people come here especially for the purpose of trekking and other adventures from corners of the world.



Katra Vashnodevi
                           Vaishno Devi Mandir  is one of the holy Hindu temples dedicated to Shakti, located in the hills of Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir, India. In Hinduism, Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess.
                                                       The temple is near the town of Katra, in the Reasi district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most revered places of worship in India. The shrine is at an altitude of 5200 feet and a distance of approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from Katra. Approximately 8 million pilgrims (yatris) visit the temple every year and it is the second most visited religious shrine in India, after Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board maintains the shrine. A rail link from Udhampur to Katra is being built to facilitate pilgrimage. The nearest airport is Jammu Airport which has very high flight frequency. All leading domestic airlines have their services to Jammu Airport.
                                                                Dwar where the Yatra begins.
                                                                                      Bhawan view
                                                                            Vaishno Devi Bhavan
                                                                            Bhairav Mandir
Sonmarg Town
Sonmarg or Sonamarg is a town of Jammu and Kashmir state of India. Situated at 87 km from Srinagar, it is a popular tourist destination.

                            Sonamarg, at an altitude of 3,000 metres above sea level, 87 km north-east of Srinagar. The drive to Sonamargh is though yet another spectacular facet of country side in Kashmir, this time its the Sindh nallah. The Sindh nallah is the largest tributary of the Indus river in the valley of Kashmir. It is upwards of sixty miles long, and valley and deep rock-girt gorge to open grassy meadow land and village-dotted slopes.

                                     Sonamarg, which means ' meadow of gold ' has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky. the Sindh meanders along here and abounds with trout and mahseer, snow trout can be caught in the main river.Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier a major attraction during the summer months. However, there is need for some stricter regulation to save the environment of the area from over tourism. Litters such as plastic bottles, etc., are strewn all over along the track.

                                              A close by excursion is to Baltal, 15 km north of Sonamarg. This little valley lies at the foot of the Zojila, only a day's journey away from the sacred cave of Amarnath. Trekkers can also reach the starkly splendid roof-top of the world – Leh, by crossing over the Zoji La pass.The climate of Sonamarg is very bracing; but the rainfall is frequent though not heavy, except for two or three days at a time in July and August with fine spell in between. From Sonamarg, trekking routes lead to the Himalayan lakes of Vishansar (4084 msl), Krishnasar (3810 msl) and Gangabal Lake (3658 msl). Other lakes in the region are Gadsar Lake, stocked with snowtrout and Satsar, glacier-fed and surrounded by banks of alpine flowers.

                                     A large number of Hindi movies have been pictured in the serene beauties of Sonamarg.



Srinagar
                                 Srinagar  Situated at the center of the Kashmir valleySrinagar is the most populous district in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India and is home to the summer capital (Srinagar) of Jammu and Kashmir (The capital moves to     Jammu city in the winter). The largest city is Srinagar. It is also home to the scenic Dal Lake, a popular tourist destination.
                                         The temple of Shankaracharya , important place to visit in Srinagar 

                                                                      Srinagar-Nagin Lake

                                                                              summer of srinagar

                                                                              Dal lake, srinagar


Pahalgam 
                                            Pahalgam  is a town and a notified area committee in Anantnag district in India's northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a popular tourist destination, and every year, many tourists visit Pahalgam.

Tourist Attraction


                                      The town of Pahalgam (Village of Shepherds) offers breathtaking views. One can just relax in one of the many hotels in Pahalgam, or trek on some of the many mountains. One can trek to Lidderwat, Kolohoi Glacier or to Sonmarg. Snow skiing is an attraction during the winter months (from December to late February/early March).JKTDC offers tourist cottages at very reasonable rates for a leisurely stay at Pahalgam .
                                         Pahalgam is also the entry point for the famous Amarnath Cave, a holy site for Hindus


Kolahoi Glacier

Kolohoi Glacier, situated up the Lidder Valley, just below Mount Kolohoi, is currently a hanging glacier. It is basically hollowed out from global warming, the Asian brown cloud, and local environmental factors associated with mountain hydrology. According to the mountaineers from Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering (JIM) in 2008, the glacier has receded by half since 1985. The glacier is not safe to study because it is hollow and in places has 200-foot-deep (61 m) crevasses. The sounds of cracking can be heard from either side of the ice field, which indicates an imminent collapse. The preferred method of approach for viewing is to take the right side. This approach offers less boulder fields on the approach, and the occasional goat/horse/cattle herder can be approached for cheese and Kashmiri tea on the way. Reaching Kolohoi, trekking up the Lidder Valley, you will encounter some of the most difficult terrain in the western Himalayas, but the views are breathtaking




Wildlife

Wild bears still roam much of the area, and local villagers are on constant alert for their presence. Due to the constant threat of illegal border crossings, the Indian army is always patrolling the area and is on constant high alert. As the local population can’t carry firearms, this has saved the bears from being hunted to extinction. With the abundance of fresh trout in the rivers and local farm animals, they have plenty to eat. Monkeys also populate the area, most monkeys are quiet and shy, but given an opportunity they will steal food from visitors; campsites.

Gulmarg
                           Gulmarg  is a town, a hill station and a notified area committee in Baramula district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
                            Gulmarg is located 52 km from Srinagar. It is located at  It has an average elevation of 2,690 m (8,825 ft).
                                   The “heartland of winter sports in India”, as quoted by CNN, is a gathering ground for all things extreme sports and outdoors related. In the winter, the diverse and extreme terrain combines with torrential snowfall to create a snow destination that is among the best in the world. As the destination itself is still undeveloped, skiers and riders never have to suffer the long queues that are so prevalent in other international snow destinations – it is not uncommon to get up to 10 runs in a day from the top of the gondola and to be carving fresh lines in untracked snow for the best part of a day
.
                                  The summer is just as busy. With temperatures ranging from 25-30°C, Gulmarg attracts outdoor sports fanatics with its world class trekking, mountain biking, horse riding, water skiing, and fishing.
There are a few places of religious importance near the resort within a 5 to 20 km radius like Baba Reshi, Haji Murad at Kreeri and Tangmarg.

                                     Gulmarg is among the most famous tourist destinations in India, however, there is need for some stricted regulation to save the environment of the area from over tourism.







10 comments:

The state of Jammu and Kashmir is popularly known as "Paradise on Earth". The beauty of the snow capped mountain peaks, the fragrant orchards and pine forests.

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Kashmir is beyond explanation. It's amazing natural surrounding make it a paradise on earth. Kashmir is the most favorite place of every tourist in India.
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Jammu and Kashmir have many tourists attractions to explore. Both the places are mesmerizing. It's natural landscapes and valley are outstanding.
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Very nice blog I like your blogspot. Thank you.
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Places Covered : Srinagar – Gulmarg – Sonmarg – Pahalgam Days : 8Nights /9Days

You list of J&K visiting places are great with some visiting tips. Thanks for share this post.
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